Suitcase with Retractable Handle Assembly

ABSTRACT

A suitcase includes a main body and a retractable handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a pair of outer handles and at least one pair of inner handles. Each of the inner handles and the outer handles is made of a plastic pipe which is formed by a primary material which is fused, extruded and molded to form the plastic pipe of each of the inner handles and the outer handles. The primary material includes polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Thus, the handle assembly has a better outer appearance and has a lighter weight. In addition, each of the inner handles and the outer handles has a better restoring function and can be rapidly restored to the original state when being deformed due to a collision.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a suitcase and, more particularly, to a suitcase with a retractable handle assembly.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional suitcase comprises a main body and a retractable handle assembly mounted on the back face of the main body. The handle assembly includes two outer pipes and two inner pipes retractably mounted in the outer pipes respectively. Each of the inner pipes and the outer pipes of the handle assembly is made of metallic material, such as aluminum, iron or the like, so that each of the inner pipes and the outer pipes of the handle assembly needs a surface treatment, such as oxidating, electroplating, painting and the like. However, each of the inner pipes and the outer pipes has a monotonous color, thereby decreasing the aesthetic quality of the handle assembly. In addition, the inner pipes and the outer pipes are made of metallic material to increase the whole weight of the suitcase so that the suitcase has a heavier weight. Further, the inner pipes and the outer pipes are made of metallic material which has a poor restoring function so that the inner pipes and the outer pipes cannot be easily restored to the original state when being distorted or deformed due to a collision. Further, the inner pipes and the outer pipes are made of metallic material, thereby increasing the cost of fabrication of the suitcase. Further, the inner pipes and the outer pipes are made of metallic material which usually needs a surface treatment, thereby easily causing an environmental pollution.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a suitcase, comprising a main body and a retractable handle assembly mounted on a back face of the main body. The handle assembly includes a top seat mounted on the main body, a base mounted on the main body, a pair of outer handles each mounted between the top seat and the base, at least one pair of inner handles retractably mounted in the outer handles respectively, and a handgrip mounted between the inner handles. Each of the inner handles and the outer handles of the handle assembly is made of a plastic pipe which is formed by a primary material. The primary material is fused, extruded and molded to form the plastic pipe of each of the inner handles and the outer handles of the handle assembly. The primary material of each of the inner handles and the outer handles includes polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Each of the inner handles and the outer handles of the handle assembly is transparent or translucent.

Preferably, the each of the inner handles and the outer handles of the handle assembly has an outer surface coated with a painting with different colors.

Preferably, the primary material of each of the inner handles and the outer handles is added with color material with different colors.

Preferably, each of the inner handles and the outer handles of the handle assembly is provided with a plurality of reinforcing ribs.

Preferably, each of the inner handles and the outer handles of the handle assembly is provided with a plurality of serrated stripes.

Preferably, each of the inner handles and the outer handles of the handle assembly has a substantially oblong, cylindrical, polygonal, rectangular, square, trapezium or D-shaped profile.

According to the primary advantage of the present invention, the inner handles and the outer handles present different colors to enhance the aesthetic quality of the handle assembly.

According to another advantage of the present invention, the inner handles and the outer handles are made of plastic material to decrease the whole weight of the suitcase so that the suitcase has a lighter weight.

According to a further advantage of the present invention, the inner handles and the outer handles are made of plastic material so that each of the inner handles and the outer handles has a better restoring function and can be rapidly restored to the original state when being distorted or deformed due to a collision.

According to a further advantage of the present invention, the inner handles and the outer handles are made of plastic material to decrease the cost of fabrication of the suitcase.

According to a further advantage of the present invention, the inner handles and the outer handles are made of plastic material without needing a surface treatment so as to satisfy an environmental protection requirement.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a suitcase in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective extended view of a retractable handle assembly of the suitcase as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an outer handle of the retractable handle assembly of the suitcase as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top cross-sectional view of the outer handle of the retractable handle assembly of the suitcase as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top cross-sectional view of an outer handle of a retractable handle assembly of a suitcase in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top cross-sectional view of an outer handle of a retractable handle assembly of a suitcase in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a suitcase in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a main body 10 and a retractable handle assembly 20 mounted on a back face of the main body 10.

The handle assembly 20 includes a top seat 23 mounted on the main body 10, a base 24 mounted on the main body 10, a pair of outer handles 21 each mounted between the top seat 23 and the base 24, at least one pair of inner handles 22 retractably mounted in the outer handles 21 respectively, and a handgrip 25 mounted between the inner handles 22. When in use, the handgrip 25 is driven upward to pull the inner handles 22 outward from the outer handles 21 respectively as shown in FIG. 2 for use with a user. When not in use, the handgrip 25 is driven downward to retract the inner handles 22 into the outer handles 21 respectively as shown in FIG. 1 so as to reduce the whole volume of the handle assembly 20.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the inner handles 22 and the outer handles 21 of the handle assembly 20 is made of a plastic pipe which is formed by a primary material. The primary material is fused, extruded and molded to form the plastic pipe of each of the inner handles 22 and the outer handles 21 of the handle assembly 20. The primary material of each of the inner handles 22 and the outer handles 21 includes polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Preferably, the primary material of each of the inner handles 22 and the outer handles 21 is added with color material with different colors. In addition, each of the inner handles 22 and the outer handles 21 of the handle assembly 20 is transparent or translucent.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the inner handles 22 and the outer handles 21 of the handle assembly 20 has an outer surface coated with a painting with different colors.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the inner handles 22 and the outer handles 21 of the handle assembly 20 is provided with a plurality of reinforcing ribs 26 to enhance the structural strength of each of the inner handles 22 and the outer handles 21. In addition, each of the inner handles 22 and the outer handles 21 of the handle assembly 20 is provided with a plurality of serrated stripes 27. Preferably, the reinforcing ribs 26 and the serrated stripes 27 are formed on an inner wall of each of the inner handles 22 and the outer handles 21. Alternatively, the reinforcing ribs 26 and the serrated stripes 27 are formed on an outer wall of each of the inner handles 22 and the outer handles 21. Preferably, the reinforcing ribs 26 and the serrated stripes 27 are extended in a longitudinal direction of each of the inner handles 22 and the outer handles 21.

Referring to FIG. 5, each of the inner handles 22 and the outer handles 21 of the handle assembly 20 has a substantially oblong shape.

Referring to FIG. 6, each of the inner handles 22 and the outer handles 21 of the handle assembly 20 has a substantially cylindrical shape. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the inner handles 22 and the outer handles 21 of the handle assembly 20 has a substantially polygonal, rectangular, square, trapezium or D-shaped profile.

Accordingly, the inner handles 22 and the outer handles 21 present different colors to enhance the aesthetic quality of the handle assembly 20. In addition, the inner handles 22 and the outer handles 21 are made of plastic material to decrease the whole weight of the suitcase so that the suitcase has a lighter weight. Further, the inner handles 22 and the outer handles 21 are made of plastic material so that each of the inner handles 22 and the outer handles 21 has a better restoring function and can be rapidly restored to the original state when being distorted or deformed due to a collision. Further, the inner handles 22 and the outer handles 21 are made of plastic material to decrease the cost of fabrication of the suitcase. Further, the inner handles 22 and the outer handles 21 are made of plastic material without needing a surface treatment so as to satisfy an environmental protection requirement. Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention. 

1. A suitcase, comprising: a main body; and a retractable handle assembly mounted on a back face of the main body; the handle assembly including: a top seat mounted on the main body; a base mounted on the main body; a pair of outer handles each mounted between the top seat and the base; at least one pair of inner handles retractably mounted in the outer handles respectively; and a handgrip mounted between the inner handles; wherein: each of the inner handles and the outer handles of the handle assembly is made of a plastic pipe which is formed by a primary material; the primary material is fused, extruded and molded to form the plastic pipe of each of the inner handles and the outer handles of the handle assembly; the primary material of each of the inner handles and the outer handles includes polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET); and each of the inner handles and the outer handles of the handle assembly is transparent or translucent.
 2. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein each of the inner handles and the outer handles of the handle assembly has an outer surface coated with a painting with different colors.
 3. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein the primary material of each of the inner handles and the outer handles is added with color material with different colors.
 4. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein each of the inner handles and the outer handles of the handle assembly is provided with a plurality of reinforcing ribs.
 5. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein each of the inner handles and the outer handles of the handle assembly is provided with a plurality of serrated stripes.
 6. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein each of the inner handles and the outer handles of the handle assembly has a substantially oblong, cylindrical, polygonal, rectangular, square, trapezium or D-shaped profile. 